We are naturally focused on the war in Ukraine, as the largest such conflict since WWII on the territory of Europe. But this is just the latest manifestation of extreme aggression from Russia, in a pattern of expansion and coercion of its neighbours that goes back centuries. In this interview, Keir Giles explains the outline of future threats / future wars, and whether its possible to deter the Kremlin from returning Europe to a state of perpetual warfare. Is containing a revanchist Russia the best we can hope for, or are there political, social and structural problems that prevent Europe from mounting an adequate defence. Are we in a race against time, where direct conflict with Russia is practically unavoidable, and the stakes higher than we can possibly imagine?

Order Keir's new book: https://amzn.to/4cFI1b6
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Keir Giles has spent his career watching, studying, and explaining Russia. Keir’s work has appeared in a wide range of academic and military publications across Europe and in North America, and he is a regular contributor and commentator on Russian affairs for international print and broadcast media. He is a Senior Consulting Fellow at the UK's Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), and also works with the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), a group of deep subject matter experts on Eurasian security formerly attached to the British Ministry of Defence. He is a regular contributor to research projects on Russian security issues in the U.S., UK, and Europe.
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SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISER -
A project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's frontline towns.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurta...
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CHAPTERS:
00:02:34 There is a problem with Russia - if it’s not addressed, it is going to get worse.
00:03:39 Russia's land forces have been built back larger than they were previously.
00:06:47 United States as the linchpin of NATO unity is now under question.
00:09:15 In my book Moscow Rules, I examine what drives Russia to confront the West.
00:12:08 Societal and regime attitudes were frozen in place under communist system.
00:14:48 When dealing with Russia, it's not a single objective that they're looking for.
00:20:09 Freezing the conflict in Ukraine, leaves Russia free to reconstitute its forces.
00:25:33 The problem is that the US is being pulled in so many different directions.
00:29:20 Absorbing Ukraine will make Russia immensely stronger for its next attack.
00:31:22 In Finland, there will never be a call for surrender from the central authorities.
00:33:52 Finland and Estonia have poured vast quantities of money into defence.
00:38:05 Over 30 years of cuts to the British army have not at all been addressed yet.
00:42:52 Think of it as countries rejoining the free world after domination by Moscow.
00:46:21 Russia is very capable of dividing and conquering to destabilise adversaries.
00:48:13 Putin assumed process of state capture in Ukraine was sufficiently advanced.
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BOOKS:
Who Will Defend Europe? An Awakened Russia and a Sleeping Continent (2024)
Order Keir's new book: https://amzn.to/4cFI1b6
Russia's War on Everybody: And What it Means for You (2022)
Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia to Confront the West (2019)
The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy (2017)
The State of the NATO-Russia Reset (2011)
Potential Challenges to Public Order and Social Stability in the Russian Federation (2011)
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LINKS:
Order Keir's new book: https://amzn.to/4cFI1b6
https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keir_Giles
  / keir-giles-499a489  
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TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine
https://www.saveukraineua.org/

Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas
https://superhumans.com/en/

UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine
https://unbroken.org.ua/

Come Back Alive
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org/relief/activation-che...

UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy
https://u24.gov.ua/

Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
https://prytulafoundation.org
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